What a wonderful list Nancedar provided! With everyone else's suggestions, too, alicia, you should have plenty to get you started. I've grown the chocolate mint before - it is a must have with a caution. Find yourself a very wide and deep pot. Plant the mint into the pot, then sink the entire pot into the garden. This helps keep the plant from taking over, so long as you watch for any that try to escape over the edge of the pot. Chocolate mint leaves are great to float in your hot chocolate. You can also put a few in with some powdered sugar overnight before using the sugar in a frosting. Adds a nice, subtle, minty flavor. But I digress... The Eupatorium 'Chocolate' is also a great plant, but needs a lot of moisture or afternoon shade, as it wilts easily on a daily basis. It flowers late, though, so it's useful for extending the bloom season. For trees/shrubs that could also be incorporated, there's: Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate' ($150!) Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'(foliage turns chocolate/burgundy in Fall) Pittosporum shrubs are said to have chocolate scented flowers I've included another link I found that includes a plant list for a Chocolate Garden designed over in Europe. You'll have to research some to see if they grow here. As for my previous idea in another thread for using cocoa hulls to mulch a Chocolate garden, it seems they may or may not (depending on who you listen to) be a bad idea if you have dogs. But let's not clog up this thread with that debate. Isn't it amazing how many "chocolatey" plants there are out there? Here is a link that might be useful: The Chocolate Garden

Hello Everyone, When I arrived home Friday night I had a priority mail box waiting for me on the kitchen table. Anticipation and excitement was everywhere. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened it. Sooooooooooo many seed packets!!!! You are all the BEST! I am so appreciative to Kim and to all of you for these seeds. I did not expect my seeds to be replaced; you have my deepest gratitude. So many different varieties of seeds to try this year that I'm going to be real busy sowing seeds; should keep me out of trouble for a while. Whom I kidding, the more I sow the more trouble I'm in, for I need to find homes for all the babies that grow. In my eyes, that's the best kind of trouble to be in. Alana - I'm really excited to try the Canavalia gladiate (jack & the beanstalk) beans. I'm sure they will be a hit in the grandkids garden. I was telling my one sister in Kansas about them and she's wondering where to get them so she can try them too. Thanks again everyone, you are all the BEST. Wishing everyone a great gardening year with lots of flowers and bountiful veggie harvests! Sandy

Second round rec'd today - thanks so much Kim! This should just about take care of the final few jugs of wintersowing I had left; very ready to be done with it :-). Will get the stamps out to you ASAP. For all the gripes I have with the PO, they did manage to get them here durn quickly I think, and for that I thank them; and I thoroughly understand, Kim... I'm not good with numbers myself... words yes, numbers no way. ;-) Re the move, Kim and stage_rat, that's just been a dream of mine for 20+ years... not going to happen any time soon (if ever). Yes, need to let things settle here I guess; I do tend to cut and run when things get bad (or just turn my music up really loud). My mom and dad moved 80 miles away several years ago (to get out of the city), and now my mom tells me I can't move to Oregon until *they* die... (???!!!) lol. This from the woman who moved away from her whole family in PA to *TX* and then eventually to *MO*. lolol. And she's only half kidding when she says I have to wait. Sooooo, here's hoping I survive long enough to move to Oregon. :-) Anywho, thanks for the kind words, and again thanks for the great swap and the great seeds. Best wishes to all. Terri

I may have listed this before, but if not: I have many red salvias blooming and setting seed. I am not sure which are which - I planted at least four types this year. Anyway, they have done well for me despite a rough summer and they continue to bloom as the weather turns to fall. If anyone wants a packet of assorted red salvia, let me know. I will easily have multiples to share. I also have white - variety unknown. They have done well also. Can trade more than one packet of these. I also have balsam impatients. These grow very well for me. The variety I have planted is Peppermint Stick. When I replant from them I get mostly blossoms that include both red and white, but some turn out to be a solid color. That's all I can think of to list for now. Wouldn't you know I went out to try to take pictures today and all the rechargeable batteries were dead. Maybe I can remember to get out there tomorrow. I planted some morning glories under a sweet gum tree and the vines went about 15 feet or higher up into the tree so I have white blossoms in the sweet gum tree. I think they are Pearly Gates. I will have to try that again next year! Jeanne